Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

Chapter Seventy-One: Day of Reckoning

Following little Kazuko's funeral, the murmurs kept following the two silver-haired brothers busy planning a way to get rid of the biggest troublemakers in the valley: Noboru and Goro. These were difficult days for both of them, and although they had wanted to stay a little longer with their mates, they were aware that duties demanded their time.

After the epiphany that had caught him alone in his office, Sesshomaru had spent more time with Rin — thanks to Inuyasha, who had taken over some of his tasks. The two of them had been able to vent their anger and frustration, no longer holding back any of their emotions and even confessing which parts of each other bothered them the most and compromising. It was an exercise that not only lifted a weight off their chests but also helped them start a new phase in their lives, leaving behind as much pain and annoyance as possible; it was pointless, they realised, to carry on grudges that were otherwise solvable. They had Kagome to thank for suggesting that they take their time and complete that task. And though Sesshomaru had been skeptical at first, he had to admit to himself now that it had helped him — and more importantly, he was pleased with the effect it had had on Rin.

As soon as Kagome had been well enough to no longer be confined to bed — although Inuyasha would have liked her to stay there a while longer — Sesshomaru returned to his usual duties. It had been healthy to take a break, though he had once thought it a waste of time, but now he had more pressing matters to attend to, and foremost among them was his uncle, whom he wanted to get rid of as soon as possible.

Therefore, the two siblings spent the next few days discussing how to do it while Kagome kept Rin company, for whom the pain of losing her daughter was not going away anytime soon — as it was for Sesshomaru as well.

Soon, the day Noboru would be executed was decided, but Inuyasha didn't want it to be quick and easy; in his opinion, he was due some satisfaction and retribution after all the demon had put him through. Though he did not appreciate exhibitionism, Sesshomaru agreed to his brother's request willingly. Inwardly, however, he already knew that he would soon regret it; after all, they decided to host the execution in the main arena, where every demon of the valley could attend. It would become a real event that Inuyasha would take advantage of.

It was shortly after the date was announced to everyone that Kagome met, by chance, Tsubasa. The priestess wasn't alone — she hadn't been lately — but even if she had, she doubted the demoness would have considered making the same mistake as her lover. And Kagome could also clearly read on her face what Tsubasa thought of Noboru's actions.

In fact, in those days, it was pretty much clear to everyone how much effort the butterfly was making to hide not only her anger but also her disgust at Noboru's gamble. After all, such a move had cost her so much, too. Not because she felt sorry for the demon's fate — no one thought that they had anything besides power lust and sexual desire in common — but because, in doing so, it had also eliminated any chance for her to achieve her own selfish goals.

No one within the circle they had commanded for decades could replace Noboru, and she, alone and well observed, would achieve very little, probably only a death sentence. Thus, she had not welcomed the news of the attack on the priestess because not only had Noboru not made her aware of that reckless plan, but she had easily come to a conclusion that he certainly had not grasped: even if he had killed Kagome, no plan could have saved him, not with such evidence. The satisfaction he would get from it would be short-lived anyway, and they wouldn't be able to overthrow his nephew as they had always wanted to do both.

There was nothing to be gained from such an action, not in Tsubasa's eyes, who now understood how hatred and impatience had driven Noboru mad. And to think that it had once been he who had advised her not to make any reckless moves.

At that point, all that was left for Tsubasa in those lands was the knowledge of her years wasted plotting without achieving anything. She had decided to return to her native lands, though it was an act of cowardice that she disliked and did not want to look like a dog running away with its tail between its legs. But what other solution did she have? Staying there and watching those hybrids thrive would only fuel her anger — and she didn't want to end up like Noboru, going crazy and making stupid moves.

All of that was on full display in her eyes the day Kagome met her and she thought that provoking her would give her some personal satisfaction. If Inuyasha could do it his way on the battlefield, she would use a different weapon: words.

"Tsubasa, what an unexpected... encounter." Had she been a woman with less experience behind her when it came to demons, the blazing, hate-filled look the butterfly sent her in response would have knocked her out. Unfortunately for Tsubasa, though, Kagome had dealt with even worse demons than she had, back when she was still a naive little girl spoiled by her era of origin. As a result, the only thing that caused was a laugh and an even wider smile on her lips. For once, the miko was glad she didn't have to fear plots or the fate of her children; at that moment, Tsubasa could do nothing, and they both knew it.

"Kagome-sama," the other greeted her through gritted teeth, not hiding the resentment in her voice or facial expression. As far as formalities went, it was enough she had added the honorific to her name — many other times, she had avoided it.

The guards next to Kagome would have liked to intervene, but she signalled for them to stay put while she took care of it. She didn't want that opportunity to be wasted.

"Forgive my curiosity, but I was just wondering what you thought of the fate of your lover. It is now common knowledge that he will soon be executed," she asked boldly, not hiding a smirk. If she could have, Tsubasa would have gladly killed her on the spot in response, and Kagome knew it and was pleased.

She had never been the type to provoke or enjoy the misfortunes of others but she felt that since the demoness in question was responsible for much of her family's pain — and remembering little Muteki being attacked by one of her filthy bugs — she deserved a little fun. And at that point, why not take as examples from Inuyasha and Shippo? Miroku wouldn't have behaved any differently, either, by the look of things.

"Lover?" the other repeated as if the word was unfamiliar or new to her. "You must be mistaken; I have no lover." There was more than one threat on the tip of her tongue that she would have deemed appropriate for that confrontation, but the sight of the guards with their eyes on her reminded Tsubasa why she couldn't let them slide out of her mouth. "I'm a free woman," she said instead.

"Oh, believe me, we know it well," Kagome chuckled again, the tone the one she would use to discuss gossip with a friend at the bar. "But everyone with a well-developed sense of smell in this valley must have been mistaken. What another fortuitous coincidence. Isn't that right, Osamu?"

The guard next to her nodded, trying to keep a straight face.

"Not that it's anything new that the judgement of many in these lands is unreliable," Tsubasa retorted, letting her contempt-filled gaze slide down Kagome's figure, implying more than she had said in words. What and to whom this misjudgement was referring was equally clear.

"On this, we agree, oddly enough. Fortunately for us, these unreliable opinions will soon diminish. It's a shame." She shrugged and then met the gaze of the demoness in front of her one last time. "I had really thought that there was at least one person to mourn his death, but if his sister isn't affected who else should be?"

With that said, she passed her, followed by the two guards and leaving behind the tense figure of a butterfly whose beautiful face was now disfigured by anger. Her fists clenched along her waist and her jaw clenched; her entire body vibrated with pent-up energy and the urge to attack, but certainly not out of any displeasure due to Noboru's fate.

Kagome had provoked her and made her a laughing stock, knowing full well that Tsubasa would be unable to retaliate much. Probably, the priestess didn't believe her own last words either; they had only been a way of rub salt into the wound.

At that point, Tsubasa snorted loudly into the empty corridor, not caring if anyone could still hear her. They were nothing but cowards, like everyone else in that valley. It was easy to confront her when two watchdogs protected her, especially when they made it impossible for her to fight back.

Sesshomaru's family might feel safe now, maybe even victorious, but Tsubasa was the only one who knew how rotten and false everything around them was. And the anger burned; the anger and the envy at not succeeding.

Perhaps, leaving those lands did not have to be considered an act of weakness on her part. Maybe, she told herself, once she was somewhere else, she could start again without those feelings that had been clouding her mind for years. She was tired of feeling that way and wanted to leave behind every memory that did nothing but burn her inside — and not in a good way.

There was nothing there for her anymore. She had tried and failed, and the fact that she hadn't been the only one didn't help her mood. She would depart and leave behind every intrigue and demon that didn't deserve her.

The night before the fateful day, Inuyasha and Kagome lay in bed without really being able to fall asleep.

It had only been ten days since Kimi had come to the village, but it seemed like an eternity had already passed.

Kagome still slept on her back, uncomfortable as that was, and she had to pay attention to some of her movements or not overexert herself, but she acted as if everything was already back to normal. Her mate and children were another matter.

The wounds she was recovering from were even more of a topic of conversation that night, as Inuyasha would be standing before the man who had inflicted them in a few hours. It was hard to think of anything else.

The half-demon was torn between excitement and anxiety. The former because, after all those years, he could finally get even with the demon who had shown such a sick obsession with his family. The second was more due to the unpredictability that had always governed their lives: Inuyasha had learned too well that it wasn't good to take something for granted and that the worst could always happen. Could he, then, be blamed for feeling a little nervous about tomorrow's event?

Kagome had tried to distract him, or at least calm him down, but she had soon understood that it was a losing battle: she knew him well and knew that in certain cases, it would take a miracle to shift the focus of his attention. Moreover, she was not immune to that state of mind either, not to mention that she would have gladly exercised her revenge. She felt that she deserved it too; she wanted to take part in the execution of the man who tried to kill their children as newborns because confronting Tsubasa hadn't helped her all that much, though the initial satisfaction. After all, under normal circumstances, she was more than capable of standing up to the man.

But that wasn't the way it worked in that place and time, and it was already enough that Sesshomaru had put his history with his uncle aside and given Inuyasha carte blanche. Thus, the following day, everyone would gather in the main arena, waiting to witness the execution of their old Lady's brother by the heir.

As it was, Kagome thought before sighing, it almost seemed like a tongue twister.

"You should try to sleep; you haven't fully recovered yet," came the voice of her husband next to her. He turned, hiding his face in her hair, breathing her scent in an attempt to calm himself, and then continued, "You don't have to worry, you know."

Kagome laughed, even though there was no trace of humor in that sound. "Funny you say that; I can almost feel you vibrating with excitement mixed with anxiety."

"Hey, it's a big day tomorrow, and I'm one of the two leads. I'm allowed to be. Not to mention, I'm not the one recovering from near death wounds."

"Pff, don't even try. I'm perfectly fine," she downplayed, though the cuts hadn't quite closed and the scars would remain forever to remind her of the incident. "Don't you think you're overreacting? Nearly fatal," she huffed. "It never got that far."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, already knowing where that conversation was going; they'd only had it fifty other times in the last week. "I'm not the one who said that, 'Gome; it's not like I'm a healer. However, I know enough to say with certainty that if you lose too much blood, you can, in fact, die. And why have we started this conversation again?" he asked, irritated — not with her, but with the memory of what had happened and the resurfacing of unpleasant feelings.

"I seem to recall you spoke of mortal injuries," Kagome pointed out.

"No, I was merely encouraging you to go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow."

"But I'm not the one who has to fight," she reminded him again with a coy smile.

"Keh, smartass," he said under his breath, but loud enough to make sure she heard him.

His mate laughed heartily and then snuggled even closer to him, kissing the top of his chest and resting her head on it afterwards, listening to his heart beat faster than usual. "You should listen to your own advice, Koibito."

"I can't help it," he murmured in response, brushing her head with his lips. "It is my job to worry about my family."

Kagome merely nodded as if it was clearer to her now. After all, everything could be traced back to that protective instinct that had never failed Inuyasha at any time; it was part of him, and she loved him for it, too. "And you've always done a great job," she reassured him as if there had ever been any doubt, any need for confirmation. But saying it out loud actually comforted them both, and it was just what they both needed to hear.

She sighed one last time and then let her eyelids close before surrendering to the arms of Morpheus as well as those of her mate.

The end of the following day could never come too soon. He couldn't wait for that part of the nightmare to be finally over.

When dawn came, it was as if only a few minutes had passed. Nonetheless, Inuyasha woke up more charged up and ready than ever and the energy that his entire body radiated was so contagious that it soon spread, not only through the royal wing but also through the entire castle. Soon, they reached the arena when it was already full and the buzzing sound from it could be heard for miles around.

It was easy to go back to the memory of the first time he had stood in the middle of that field for a duel. Back then Sesshomaru had had to remind him more than once that he wasn't allowed to kill his opponent, something Inuyasha — used to always kill in a fight — hadn't exactly appreciated.

Today, however, he was required to do just that, and nothing could erase the satisfied grin from his lips as Noboru was dragged before him.

Before the whole thing began and the special ropes that restrained the dog demon were removed, Sesshomaru still made a few recommendations to him.

"You may use our father's old fang on Noboru as you see fit, Inuyasha, but be mindful of your surroundings." Inuyasha rolled his eyes, and Sesshomaru ignored him. "If you destroy this battlefield, you'll be the next one in that condition," he emphasized, pointing with his head at his still bound uncle.

His half-brother looked at him as if to say, "Are we done?" and Sesshomaru narrowed his golden eyes to remark the threat he had just made. Then, he shook his head, and with his usual pretentious stride, he returned to his seats in the front row, most of which were already occupied by the rest of the family and the guards.

Next to the women, Muteki and Toga were not missing a single movement already; it was the first time they actually witnessed something like this, and the excitement was coming from them in waves. There was not even the slightest trace of the anxiety that could be detected, instead, in Inuyasha despite his apparent arrogance. They had complete confidence in their father.

The half-demon turned one last time to lock eyes with his mate, then shifted his gaze to his sons as if sensing their mood, and winked. Seeing the three of them, Kagome thought, was like watching a player greet his fans before an important game; if one looked at it with a modern mindset, it was hard to think that what was actually about to happen was execution and not some kind of final.

Finally, when Sesshomaru gave the okay — after one last glare to his younger brother to remind him of the threat — Inuyasha reached Noboru. He immediately began to speak, but he did not address the demon beside him as everyone would have thought, but those in the stands, the traitor's followers to be exact.

"Well, I must say that no one expected to witness something like this so soon, did they? Who would have thought that my father's old brother-in-law would be caught red-handed?" He shrugged as if the whole thing had been an unexpected surprise, but at the same time, it didn't interest him all that much. "Well, I have a suggestion."

The murmuring ceased immediately, and from his position, Sesshomaru reduced his eyes to two slits, wondering what on earth Inuyasha was planning. Beside him, Rin reached out her arm to squeeze his hand reassuringly, and Kagome giggled between amused and resigned; from that reaction, Sesshomaru guessed that she wasn't aware of her mate's plans either.

"If any of you think the punishment is excessive, if you believe that Noboru does not deserve this end, I will be willing to listen." Inuyasha's voice boomed across the field as his gaze circled the entire arena and then returned to the dog demon's few friends. "If you think you are capable, I will let you fight for his life. Defeat me and Noboru will be saved..." he sneered even more openly. "Lose and his sentence will become yours."

The silence grew even more deafening, but Inuyasha took pleasure in it and let it linger a while longer.

"Well?" he repeated finally. "No one? What a pity," he commented with mock displeasure. Then, finally, he met Noboru's gaze, who was gritting his teeth and giving him a hateful look. "It seems that no one thinks you're innocent, or rather, there's no demon willing to trade his life for yours; they don't think you're worthy," he taunted him. "It's not as if I'm naive enough to think that whoever fills those stands is really here to see you receive your just punishment for what you did to my mate."

He clenched his fists in anger and lowered himself onto his legs to be level with Noboru, who was kneeling and unable to get up on his own. "And you? Are you going to beg for mercy from any of your old friends? Do you think that if you beg, one of them will deign to accept my offer?" He shook his head, skeptical. "Well, go ahead," he invited him, smiling. "Oh, no? What a pity," he repeated.

Noboru growled in response. The whole pantomime was making his blood boil in his veins, and he was well aware that it was all the half-breed wanted. He was making him the laughing stock of the land — as if he needed it — and he was enjoying himself by provoking him. What he had planned to do was not enough; he obviously wanted to add humiliation to his miserable end. If only he could have fought back instead of being bound by those damned cords that kept burning him as soon as he moved.

Suddenly, Inuyasha was behind him, fulfilling the wish he had just formulated in his mind. He was freeing him, which was not exactly the plan; usually, in such cases, they would simply execute the traitor. But then again, Inuyasha wasn't exactly known for following instructions to the letter, nor was what he had done so far habitual.

"I'll make you the same offer, Noboru; I don't think killing you while you can't even defend yourself would really satisfy me, you know. I want to enjoy myself." And even though he couldn't look him in the face at the moment, Noboru was convinced that he still had a fucking grin on his lips; he could hear it in his voice. "Defeat me... and your life will be saved," he concluded before dropping the now loose cords and leaping back.

The dog demon inhaled furiously and his nostrils flared as his face flushed. Finally, a little unsteady at first, he got to his feet and straightened his shoulders before turning on his heel and facing Inuyasha, who had continued to watch him laughing.

Meanwhile, the entire crowd had not breathed a word, too busy watching.

"I didn't think you had that much courage, half-breed. Usually, you all are cowards and only think about running away."

Inuyasha arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Oh, yeah? I thought we were the same race."

Noboru gritted his teeth so hard he risked breaking a few fangs, unable to resist the provocation. "Your arrogance is admirable if you think you're on the same level as me, pup. Then again, basking in the position you've been given must have gone to your head. That's why people like you never receive anything; you don't live up to it or deserve it."

"Do you think arrogance is a prerogative of us dog demons, by any chance?" He emphasized the plural to get another reaction from him. "Then again, doesn't it take a lot to believe you can overthrow Sesshomaru or win with a priestess of Kagome's calibre?" He winked. "Yes, it takes a lot," he answered himself. "And you, Noboru, have just realized why you never succeeded at anything you set out to do. Evidently, you weren't worthy... you weren't enough."

A moment later, Noboru had sprinted towards him, claws ready to attack, but Inuyasha avoided him with ease, continuing to tease him with his laughter. "Hey, you," he shouted suddenly, addressing the crowd. "How about you have some mercy and at least throw a weapon at him? I'd prefer the fight to be somewhat balanced; I wouldn't want to be told later that I didn't give him even a small margin of victory."

Noboru didn't stand a shred of a chance, and everyone in that arena knew it; everyone except him. He wasn't a fighter, never had been, but an old, prejudiced demon would never admit that a half-demon was stronger than him. Weapon or no weapon, he was doomed but Inuyasha wanted his fun, and this was partly making up for the anguish he'd felt when he'd awakened to find his son in pain in his crib; the night Noboru's allies had tried to sneak into his chambers to attack an infant Toga; seeing Kagome unconscious and wounded by the very claws that were now trying in vain to touch him.

The longer he could keep up this charade, the better, but they all knew the result.

A blade soon fell at their feet and Inuyasha kicked it in the direction of his opponent, who looked at it with disdain and tried again to attack him with his claws. His lunges were amateurish, he wasn't even calculating the distance well and it was making him lose his balance as well. How he thought he could do it, the half-demon had no idea. In his useless gestures, he saw so much of his former self, too young and inexperienced, arrogant and blind. He, however, had had a reason to be; Noboru, on the other hand, only appeared more pathetic.

"You don't want it?" He burst out laughing thunderously. "Are you sure about that? Damn, you really want this fight to be short then. I was already looking forward to some fun." Tired of only dodging, Inuyasha went on the counterattack and without even caring about the claws that grazed his cheek, he sprinted in his direction, perfectly replicating the wounds inflicted on Kagome.

His cuts, however, were deeper and not happy, he completed it all with a well-aimed punch that threw Noboru across the field. He didn't let him catch his breath, nor did he bother to wipe away the trickle of blood that ran down his face; he reached him in a second and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, setting him back on his feet, telling him to recover immediately because he hadn't finished or even started yet.

"Well? Don't tell me that's all there is to it and you're already done. Do you value your life so little?"

"Filthy half-" another punch interrupted him, hitting him so hard in the face that, for a moment, Inuyasha was afraid he had already broken his neck, ending the fight too soon. When he saw Noboru's face turn and spit blood, he almost breathed a sigh of relief. Evidently, Inuyasha still didn't deem him worthy of Tessaiga if he was only using his hands.

"You still think you can beat me? Still, I gave you plenty of time to attack me before I started doing the same." He huffed theatrically as he waited for him to regain his balance — this time on his own. "This game is starting to annoy me; I should have known you wouldn't be fun. I have never been known for my patience or for stalling. I'm going to reach my limit shortly and end you; it's up to you whether or not you want to provide some more entertainment for the crowd."

And while Inuyasha was having fun taunting Noboru, Sesshomaru, from the stands, was shaking his head. "I don't know why I even thought he would go straight to the point, getting rid of Noboru soon."

Kagome laughed. "And to say that he usually has little patience," she stated, echoing what her mate had said moments before. "He couldn't have put this show some years ago. The blood always went easily to his head and that, of course, didn't leave much room for thought. Honestly, considering how angry he is with Noboru, I'm surprised he hasn't torn him to shreds already."

"I don't doubt you know your mate well, Kagome," Kimi interjected. "But perhaps, it is precisely the fact that he has calmed down slightly over the years that has allowed him to develop this, I would say, more sadistic side. Plus, you're not seeing this fight from the right perspective: it is precisely the anger my brother arouses in him that instigates him; a quick death would not satisfy him."

Kagome nodded, "Definitely. By the way, it does seem to me that he's starting to get nervous about Noboru not living up to his plans."

Sesshomaru made a sound too much like Inuyasha's typical 'Keh' and it was so spontaneous that everyone turned to look at him, shocked. He ignored them. "He never believed Noboru was up to them; he simply deluded himself, hoping he would play along a few minutes longer. I don't foresee him lasting much longer."

The crowd followed the whole thing with bated breath, though some had started cheering or emitting noises as if some important match was actually being discussed. The cheers were probably mostly directed at Inuyasha since they consisted of sentences like 'one more', 'harder' or 'go for it', and Noboru was just taking the blows rather than delivering them.

However, the small portion of the stands where the members of his circle sat remained silent. No one had dared to come forward or speak up. If Noboru had been their pack leader, no one could expect much courage or fighting ability from them. In their midst, there was no one with pink hair or thin blue wings; Tsubasa hadn't even bothered to watch the killing of the man with whom she had so often shared passion and sweat — or perhaps she had, in fact, already fled.

Those reactions from the crowd only fuelled Inuyasha's excitement more, and after slamming Noboru down again, he finally pulled Tessaiga out of its sheath. He took his time, watching the blade and the beams of light that shattered on it. Finally, he pointed it at his throat, pinning him down.

"I have another question for you: with what technique of my father's fang do you wish to be killed? Doesn't it excite you to know that it will be a part of him that will end you? You should know that it has improved since he wielded it; I have added new techniques. However, for you, I could make a sacrifice and use an old one." He sneered as if he believed he was doing him a favour after all. "Slitting your throat wouldn't be my style."

He turned away, once again letting it stand, and went to retrieve the abandoned sword. "Last chance," he stated, tossing it to him again. This time, Noboru didn't refuse it.

However, as already noted, Inuyasha had grown weary of instigating him. Aside from a few scratches that he hadn't cared for in the slightest, Noboru hadn't managed to do much, nor had Inuyasha expected much from someone who had never fought or even trained in so many centuries.

When he saw the demon preparing to launch its attack, he prepared to end the duel that had gone on too long. And when he finally launched his own — a Bakuryuha, precisely because it was one of Tessaiga's original techniques — the satisfaction he got from killing his enemy was not as great as he had expected.

He figured as he sheathed his sword that, while he had been trying to get a reaction out of Noboru, his enthusiasm and excitement had grown so exponentially that by the time he reached the big moment, it had all fizzled out in half a second. It had ended up there, as had Noboru, in a beam of light from Tessaiga's formidable attack.

His bloodlust had been fed, his family no longer had to fear underhanded attacks from a coward, and he could sleep more soundly.

And while he was making these considerations, he did not even see the damage that this attack — as spectacular as it was disastrous — had inflicted on his surroundings. It took his brother's angry voice to rouse him from those thoughts.

"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru sprang to his feet and looked at what else the half-demon had left behind besides the remains of his uncle, now not even recognizable among the many debris. Those who had previously occupied the now-disintegrated stands had barely managed to save themselves — and luckily, the dai-youkai thought, otherwise he would have had to endure who knows how many complaints. Behind the camp, he could also see part of the soldiers' camps, thankfully empty, destroyed. "I thought I made myself clear."

He caught up with him in a second, and on his face, he could see not even the slightest trace of repentance; he was unaffected by what he had done. Inuyasha simply shrugged his shoulders indifferently and then, with a smirk and an arrogant walk, caught up with his mate and children.

He would never really change. Who knows why Sesshomaru insisted on believing that he could expect him to be mature in certain situations. Inuyasha was still Inuyasha.

A/N: And also in this chapter we fix some of the problems that were left unresolved; in fact, I would say, a big one! I hope you enjoyed the fight and that I wasn't too obvious - I still sometimes struggle to describe scenes with more action, alas.

As for the rest, I don't know if you realised, but this story is slowly coming to an end. I'm currently writing the last chapters, but I'd say there are no more than 5/6 chapters left at most.

I hope you'll continue to follow me for what's left, but I thank you already for coming this far. Until next time!